Japanese Holly This Holly is an ideal alternative for the disease-prone Box. It clips just as well and can be kept very low and neat, while its small, glossy, curved, leaf gives it a year-round freshness. Ilex crenata Convexa is evergreen and is superb at creating dense and bushy low hedges. Good in most soils except wet, it will grow in light shade and take some coastal exposure. It does best in a slightly acidic soil but easily kept with an acid feed. We love this hedge. Site: Tolerates some inland exposureSoil: Well-drained normal soilsPosition: Full sun to part shadeSeason of Interest: Evergreen foliage & creamy-white flowers in early SummerHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 6ft (2m) Spread: 8ft (2.5m)Hedging Spacings: 6"-9" (15cm-23cm) for hedges up to 2ftSpace 9"-12" (23cm-30cm) apart for hedges 2-4ftSpace 1ft (30cm) apart for hedges over 4ft